Eiran immediately took Runi away from the restaurant once their business there was done. Lysvarin was no longer safe for them; sooner or later, those people would find them.
Like it or not, Eiran had to think about where they should run. But if they left without any preparation, it would be the same as suicide, so Eiran decided to look for an inn in the middle of the city.
"Brother, is it okay for us to stay in this city?" Runi looked worried when he found out that Eiran intended to remain in Lysvarin.
"They still don't know we're in this city. Besides, we don't have anywhere else to go. Before we set out on an adventure, we need supplies for the journey to another city," Eiran replied patiently, explaining why he chose to stay in Lysvarin for the time being.
"In that case, should we disguise ourselves?" Runi's smile widened as he expressed his idea.
Eiran just chuckled softly. It seemed Runi wanted to have a bit of fun after being confined to the orphanage for so long.
"Look, there are masks over there. Should we check them out?" Eiran took Runi's arm and led him toward a stand on the side of the road in Lysvarin's central economic district.
"Yes, I want one!" Runi nodded his head, smiling widely until his neat, white teeth showed.
Many people were passing by on that street, and Eiran remained alert while quietly observing those around them. It would be bad if their pursuers realized they were in this city.
The district was really crowded, with many shops selling Lysvarin's signature goods, ranging from various sea creatures to charming accessories. Eiran even saw a few blacksmiths selling weapons, although he realized they were just small shops.
Apparently, Lysvarin wasn't the place to look for battle gear. The street faced directly toward the bustling harbor. There were many ships, from small to large, docked there.
"Brother, I want this mask!" Runi tugged on Eiran's arm while pointing at a whale-shaped mask.
"I didn't know you liked whales," Eiran replied with a slight smile, then took the mask handed to him by the seller.
"Actually, I don't really like them, but the mask is cute," Runi answered with a wide grin.
Eiran handed the whale mask to Runi. The seller smiled happily and began explaining about the mask he was selling.
"That whale mask is very popular in Lysvarin. Your little brother is brilliant to choose that one."
"See, Brother," Runi grinned happily after hearing what the mask seller said.
"How much is it?" Seeing Runi happy with the mask, Eiran immediately asked for the price.
"For you, just 15 Copper," the seller replied with a wide smile.
Runi, who was happily wearing the mask, suddenly fell silent. He just remembered that they didn't have any money. Suddenly, he regretted asking his brother to buy him the mask.
"Brother, I—"
"Give me that fox mask, too. So, how much is it all?" Eiran took out his coin pouch and pulled out one silver coin.
"That makes it 25 Copper." The seller's eyes sparkled when he saw Eiran pull out a silver coin.
Eiran received 75 Copper from the seller and immediately put on the fox mask, at least with this mask, their identities would be a bit more concealed.
Unbeknownst to Eiran, Runi's face had gone pale. "Brother, where did you get that money?! I thought we didn't have any!" Runi bombarded his brother with questions.
"My trip to Frosthollow wasn't in vain; they paid me." Eiran gently patted Runi's head, knowing his little brother was worried about him.
"Thank goodness, I thought you went out stealing," Runi replied, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
Eiran flicked Runi's head lightly. "You think I'm that immoral, stealing just for money?"
Runi just grinned and didn't tease Eiran any further.
After that, they walked around the district to buy food supplies for their journey. Eiran spent almost two silver coins on shopping, until he finally headed to a blacksmith's shop he had seen earlier.
"Why are we coming here, Brother?" Runi wasn't sure why Eiran wanted to visit a blacksmith.
"I need a weapon," Eiran replied briefly.
A jingling sound echoed as Eiran pushed open the blacksmith's shop door. The shop was small but neat, and the items inside were quite complete.
"Welcome." A young boy greeted Eiran and Runi upon their arrival.
Eiran didn't expect to be welcomed by a boy about Runi's age. He had thought the shopkeeper would be a large man with a thick beard.
"Uhm, I need a shield and a sword. Nothing too fancy, just something I can use in battle," Eiran explained what he was looking for.
"For swords, you can look at the display case in the corner. Choose whichever you want and ask me the price," the boy explained calmly, as if he were used to it.
Eiran just nodded slightly and walked toward the display case the boy had pointed to. He examined the swords and asked the System for help in assessing them.
"Hey, System. Is there anything interesting among these swords?" Eiran whispered softly to ask the System's opinion.
[Not really, the items I provide are better than what's here.]
"Then are you going to give me a sword now?" Eiran rolled his eyes lazily at the System's boastful tone.
[You must complete a System Quest if you want to receive anything.]
"Then stop bragging. Just pick a sword that suits me from the ones here!" Eiran hissed quietly to let the System know he wasn't joking.
[From what I see, the black-handled sword with the silver blade looks suitable for you.]
Following the System's suggestion, Eiran took the black-handled sword from the middle row of the display case.
A transparent interface appeared before Eiran once the sword was in his hand.
[Silvergrave (Common)]
[Type: One-Handed Sword
Durability: 100/100
Effects:
- Damage increases by 5% at night
- When a critical hit is triggered, enemy defense is reduced.]
Eiran nodded in satisfaction as he read the sword's stats on the interface provided by the System. He then returned to ask the young boy for the price of the sword.
However, Eiran furrowed his brows curiously when he saw the boy chatting with Runi—they seemed pretty familiar.
"Do you know him, Runi?" Eiran asked immediately after returning.
Runi shook his head slightly. "No, but Theo is a nice boy. He answered all my questions," Runi replied with bright eyes.
"Have you found the sword you want?" The boy named Theo ignored Eiran's question to Runi and chose to return to his work.
"Yes, I want this sword. How much is it?" Eiran placed Silvergrave on the table for Theo to inspect.
"2 Silver," Theo answered quietly.
At that moment, a sound of laughter came from the back of the shop. Soon, a large man with a thick mustache appeared.
"Looks like you're enjoying chatting with our young friend here, son, to the point you gave them a cheap price," the man said, laughing heartily.
"Are you also preparing to go to the Astravelle Magic Academy?" the man then asked while twirling his mustache, clearly intrigued by Eiran and Runi's visit to his shop.